Scouting report: Florida Gators
By Jay Bilas
Special to ESPN.com
Florida is a running, pressing team that looks to force turnovers, and the Gators push the ball upcourt at every opportunity. The Gators shoot 3-pointers in transition and off dribble penetration, and opponents must be prepared for long rebounds. In the halfcourt, Florida features shuffle cuts, downscreens, backpicks and continuity motion that looks for mismatches, isolations and screens on the ball up top.
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In the Crosshairs |
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Mike Miller
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In 1999, Florida was a younger team and was reduced at times to being a jumpshooting team. This season, the Gators attacked the basket more off of the dribble. While Florida likes to wear teams down with depth on the defensive end, it is on offense where the Gators can really wear a team out. When Florida does not have anything in transition, the Gators can pull it out and make opponents guard them. When the Gators show that patience, they are tough to beat.
Defensively, Florida plays fullcourt man-to-man, and the Gators jump at you on double teams. Florida is intent on forcing opponents to make plays on the run, and to do things in a hurried way that they do not practice on a regular basis. In the halfcourt, Florida plays mostly man, but will play a 2-3 matchup zone. The Gators usually play behind offensive players inside, and give good help on baseline drives. Florida is a fundamentally sound team with very good rebounding skills.
Ted Dupay: Crafty player with good ball-handling skills. Can play point, but has the mentality of a two-guard when he gives it up. Creates for himself and others off the dribble with very good penetrate-and-pitch ability, but occasionally over-penetrates. Intelligent player, but still learning when to shoot and when to pass, and sometimes takes bad shots (not necessarily shots he can't make, but shots that are not in the flow of the offense). Competitive and hungry, you must close out to him with a hand up. Do not foul on jumpshots.
Justin Hamilton: Florida's best perimeter defender, and can be a one-man press. Long and athletic with great feet, Hamilton can cover several different positions. Very good rebounder for a guard. His offense comes off his defense and the offensive glass. Capable shooter, but not always looking for his offense. Excellent and unselfish role player who can be the difference because of his blue-collar mentality.
Mike Miller: Versatile forward that can play anywhere from shooting guard to power forward. Excellent ball-handling skills, looks to make plays. Rebounds and can take it upcourt himself. Very good shooter who can post up or face up and put it on the floor with the ability to slash and draw contact. Florida's best passer and looks at times to be stylish. Looking for his shot more, and tries to impact every play. Must be physical with him.
Udonis Haslem: Wide body with solid low post game and soft touch. Plays angles very well and looks to get into his defender as the ball is reversed. Excellent offensive rebounder and has good hands. Pursues the ball, but does not always block out. Can score with a defender on his hip; he must be pushed off the low block.
Donnell Harvey: Warrior. Great athletic ability, and does not need the ball to play. Takes pride in being a garbage player, and is second to none in effort given on every play. Hardest worker on both ends in the Final Four. Excellent rebounder, and very proficient on the offensive glass. Only issue is trying too hard sometimes, like trying to block every shot or grab every rebound, instead of sometimes backing away from a foul. Posts up, but does not have many post moves to rely upon. Make him face up or put the ball on the floor.
Kenyan Weaks: Only senior on the team, excellent shooter with a good handle and solid decision-making ability. Blending in well and can defend with long arms and good athletic ability. Gets deflections and anticipates well. Dangerous in transition: can spot up or take it off the dribble. Can attack the basket, but would rather shoot it from the perimeter. Cannot let him get started.
Brett Nelson: An absolute magician with the ball. Passes with skill, finds open teammates in transition or halfcourt sets. Shoots from range, good pull-up jumper and is unafraid to take it into traffic. Has gotten stronger with the ball, and absorbs a bump much better than earlier this year. Makes good decisions, and has emerged as a dangerous weapon. Must stay in front of him, making him into a a pull-up jumpshooter.
Matt Bonner: The point defender on the press, and can score from outside the 3-point line. Deceptive athletic skills, capable of making reads off high screen, and a good rebounder. Must force him to put the ball on the floor and make plays off the dribble.
Major Parker: Very smart player and good leader on the floor. Good 3-point shooter with solid defensive skills. Spots up in transition and much improved on shot selection. Very hard-nosed and competitive. Must be blocked out on every possession, and cannot allow him to get anything easy. |
